U.S. patent application number 13/366566 was filed with the patent office on 2012-08-09 for segmenting slug.
Invention is credited to Ben N. Frank.
Application Number | 20120199035 13/366566 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46599772 |
Filed Date | 2012-08-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120199035 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Frank; Ben N. |
August 9, 2012 |
SEGMENTING SLUG
Abstract
A segmenting slug has a body having a generally dome-shaped
forward portion, a generally cylindrical rearward portion, and an
opening in the rear of the body forming an interior chamber. There
are a plurality of generally radially extending notches in the
dome-shaped forward portion of the slug, and a longitudinally
extending groove in the wall of the interior chamber substantially
aligned with each notch.
Inventors: |
Frank; Ben N.; (Worden,
IL) |
Family ID: |
46599772 |
Appl. No.: |
13/366566 |
Filed: |
February 6, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61440122 |
Feb 7, 2011 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
102/506 ;
102/501 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F42B 7/10 20130101; F42B
10/06 20130101; F42B 12/24 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
102/506 ;
102/501 |
International
Class: |
F42B 12/24 20060101
F42B012/24; F42B 7/10 20060101 F42B007/10 |
Claims
1. A segmenting slug comprising: a body having a generally
dome-shaped forward portion, a generally cylindrical rearward
portion, and an opening in the rear of the body forming an interior
chamber; a plurality of generally radially extending notches in the
dome-shaped forward portion of the slug; and a longitudinally
extending groove in the wall of the interior chamber.
2. The segmenting slug according to claim 1 wherein there is a
generally central recess in the forward end of the slug.
3. The segmenting slug according to claim 2 wherein the generally
radially extending notches are substantially equally spaced around
the generally central recess in the forward end of the slug.
4. The segmenting slug according to claim 1 wherein the generally
radially extending notches have a generally v-shaped transverse
profile.
5. The segmenting slug according to claim 4 wherein there are three
generally radially extending notches.
6. The segmenting slug according to claim 4 wherein there are four
generally radially extending notches.
7. The segmenting slug according to claim 4 wherein each groove has
a generally v-shaped transverse profile.
8. The segmenting slug according to claim 1 wherein the generally
radially extending notches are substantially equally spaced around
the circumference of the slug.
9. The segmenting slug according to claim 8 wherein the notches
have a generally v-shaped transverse profile.
10. The segmenting slug according to claim 9 wherein each groove
has a generally v-shaped transverse profile.
11. The segmenting slug according to claim 1 wherein there are a
plurality of substantially parallel channels oriented at an angle
with respect to the longitudinal direction.
12. The segmenting slug according to claim 11 wherein the radially
outward end of each notch is aligned with one of the channels.
13. The segmenting slug according to claim 1 wherein the notches
and the grooves are configured so that the slug separates into
segments when fired into 10% ballistic gelatin at 40 yards at a
muzzle velocity of no more than 1400 feet per second.
14. The segmenting slug according to claim 1 wherein the notches
and the grooves are configured so that the slug separates into
segments when fired into 10% ballistic gelatin at 10 yards at a
muzzle velocity of no more than 1250 feet per second.
15. The segmenting slug according to claim 13 wherein the notches
and the grooves are sufficiently deep that the slug does not
separate into pieces upon firing from a shotgun.
16. The segmenting slug according to claim 13 wherein there is a
generally central recess in the forward end of the slug.
17. The segmenting slug according to claim 16 wherein the generally
radially extending notches are substantially equally spaced around
the generally central recess in the forward end of the slug.
18. The segmenting slug according to claim 13 wherein the generally
radially extending notches have a generally v-shaped transverse
profile.
19. The segmenting slug according to claim 18 wherein there are
three generally radially extending notches.
20. The segmenting slug according to claim 18 wherein there are
four generally radially extending notches.
21. The segmenting slug according to claim 18 wherein each groove
has a generally v-shaped transverse profile.
22. The segmenting slug according to claim 18 wherein the generally
radially extending notches are substantially equally spaced around
the circumference of the slug.
23. The segmenting slug according to claim 18 wherein there are a
plurality of substantially parallel channels oriented at an angle
with respect to the longitudinal direction.
24. The segmenting slug according to claim 23 wherein the radially
outward end of each notch is aligned with one of the channels.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 61/440,122 filed Feb. 7, 2011. The entire
disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by
reference.
FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to slugs and similar
projectiles fired from shotgun shells.
BACKGROUND
[0003] This section provides background information related to the
present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.
[0004] A slug is a heavy projectile, usually made of lead or a lead
alloy to provide rifle-like performance for a shotgun. There are
several different types of slugs including Brenneke slugs, which
are solid projectiles with fins formed on the exterior to reduce
contact with the barrel of the gun and thereby, reducing friction
and increase velocity. Another type of slug is a Foster slug, which
has a deep hollow in the rear end of the slug. The forward end of a
Foster slug is usually dome-shaped, while the rearward end is
usually cylindrical. The cylindrical section usually has fins
separated by the channels to minimize the friction on both the
barrel and projectile and allow the slug to safely be swaged down
when fired through a choke,
[0005] Conventional slugs provide a large, single projectile which
can be very disruptive of the target in the localized area around
the slug. However, conventional Foster slugs have a tendency to
over-penetrate when fired at reduced velocities (1400 fps or less).
Pre-slitted slugs, such as the slug disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
3,138,102 (incorporated in its entirety herein by reference) have
been developed. However, in order to prevent the slitted slug from
prematurely segmenting, slitted slugs have generally been
constructed, such that they only segment at relatively high
velocities
SUMMARY
[0006] This section provides a general summary of the disclosure,
and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of
its features.
[0007] Generally, embodiments of this invention provide a
segmenting slug. The slug preferably comprises a body having a
generally dome-shaped forward portion, and a generally cylindrical
rearward portion. There is an opening in the rear of the body
forming an interior chamber. There are a plurality of generally
radially extending notches in the dome-shaped forward portion of
the slug. A longitudinally extending groove in the wall of the
interior chamber is generally aligned with each radially extending
notch.
[0008] There is preferably a generally central recess in the
forward end of the slug. There are preferably three or four
notches, substantially equally spaced around the generally central
recess in the forward end of the slug. The notches preferably have
a generally v-shaped transverse profile, and the grooves preferably
also have a generally v-shaped transverse profile.
[0009] In the preferred embodiment, the rear portion of the slug
has a plurality of fins formed by a plurality of substantially
parallel channels oriented at an angle with respect to the
longitudinal direction. The outer ends of the notches a preferably
each aligned with one of these channels.
[0010] Some embodiments of the slug of this invention maintain
their integrity when fired, yet can readily break into segments
when striking a target, even at lower velocities. Upon
segmentation, the lighter individual pieces penetrate less,
reducing the risk that the slug or pieces of the slug penetrate
through the intended target with enough energy to cause severe
damage to anything beyond the target. Furthermore the segments can
cause disruption in the intended target over a greater volume. In
some embodiments the slug can segment at close range targets at
muzzle velocities as low as 1250 fps. In other embodiments the slug
can segment at moderate ranges (e.g., about 40 yards) at muzzle
velocities as low as 1400 fps.
[0011] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the
description provided herein. The description and specific examples
in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and
are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
DRAWINGS
[0012] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes
only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations,
and are not intended to limit the scope of the present
disclosure.
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment
of a slug constructed, according to the principles of this
invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a left-side elevation view of the slug of the
first embodiment;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a right-side elevation view of the slug of the
first embodiment;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a rear elevation view of the slug of the first
embodiment;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of the slug of the first
embodiment;
[0018] FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the slug of the first
embodiment;
[0019] FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the slug of the first
embodiment;
[0020] FIG. 8 is a perspective longitudinal cross sectional view of
the slug of the first embodiment;
[0021] FIG. 9 is a vertical longitudinal cross sectional view of
the slug of the first embodiment;
[0022] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a second preferred
embodiment of a slug constructed, according to the principles of
this invention;
[0023] FIG. 11 is a left side elevation view of the slug of the
second embodiment;
[0024] FIG. 12 is a right side elevation view of the slug of the
second embodiment;
[0025] FIG. 13 is a rear elevation view of the slug of the second
embodiment;
[0026] FIG. 14 is a front elevation view of the slug of the second
embodiment;
[0027] FIG. 15 is a bottom plan view of the slug of the second
embodiment;
[0028] FIG. 16 is a top plan view of the slug of the second
embodiment;
[0029] FIG. 17 is a perspective longitudinal cross sectional view
of the slug of the second embodiment; and
[0030] FIG. 18 is a vertical longitudinal cross sectional view of
the slug of the second embodiment.
[0031] Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding
parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0032] Example embodiments will now be described more fully with
reference to the accompanying drawings. A first preferred
embodiment of a segmenting slug constructed according to the
principles of this invention is indicated generally as 20 in FIGS.
1-9. The segmenting slug 20 of the first preferred embodiment is a
Foster style slug, comprising a body 22 having a generally
dome-shaped forward portion 24, a generally cylindrical rearward
portion 26, and an opening 28 in the rear of the body forming an
interior chamber 30. The slug 20 is preferably made of lead or a
lead alloy, but the slug could be made of any sufficiently dense
and malleable material.
[0033] There are a plurality of generally radially extending
notches 32 in the dome-shaped forward portion 24 of the slug 20.
The notches 32 extend from near the center of the slug to the
periphery. As shown in the Figures, the notches 32 have a generally
v-shaped transverse profile. As a result of the dome shape of the
forward portion 24, as shown in FIG. 5, the notches 32 appear wider
near the center of the slug and narrower at the periphery of the
slug. In this preferred embodiment, there are three notches 32, but
there could be fewer or more notches, depending upon the number of
segments desired. The notches 32 are preferably substantially
equally spaced around the circumference of the slug.
[0034] As shown FIGS. 1-9, there is preferably a recess 34 in the
center of the forward end of the slug. This recess 34 preferably
has a flat bottom 36 and a frustoconical sidewall 38.
[0035] There are a plurality of generally longitudinally extending
grooves 40 in the wall of the interior chamber 30. There is
preferably one groove 40 for each notch 32. The grooves 40
preferably have a generally v-shaped transverse profile. The
forward end of each groove 40, on the inside of the slug 20, is
aligned with the radially outer end of each notch 32 on the
exterior of the slug. As shown in FIG. 4, the interior chamber 30
of the slug 20 preferably has a tapering sidewall 42 and
terminations in a generally flat bottom 44.
[0036] There are preferably a plurality of ribs or fins 46 on the
rearward portion 26 of the slug 20 which are formed or defined by
channels 48. These fins 46 and channels 48 are preferably oriented
at an angle with respect to the longitudinal direction. Preferably
the radially outer end of each notch 32 is aligned with one of the
forward ends of one of the channels 48 on the exterior of the slug.
A ring 50 is forward at the rearward end of the slug 20, and the
fins 46 run into the ring 50, while the channels 48 terminate at
the ring 50.
[0037] A second preferred embodiment of a slug constructed
according to the principles of this invention, is indicated as 52
in FIGS. 10-18. Slug 52 is similar in construction to slug 20, and
corresponding parts are identified with corresponding reference
numerals. However, rather than the three notches 32 in slug 20 for
causing the slug 20 to segment into three segments, the slug 52 has
four notches 32, which causes the slug to segment into four
segments.
[0038] The notches 32 and the grooves 40 are preferably configured
so that the slug 20 or 52 can withstand the forces from being fired
from a shotgun (whether in a sabot or not) without separating into
segments, but can still separate into segments upon striking a
target at muzzle velocities of 1400 fps or less, and in some cases
as low as 1250 fps.
[0039] The foregoing description of the embodiments has been
provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not
intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual
elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not
limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are
interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if
not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in
many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure
from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be
included within the scope of the disclosure.
[0040] Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure
will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are
skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as
examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a
thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It
will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details
need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in
many different forms and that neither should be construed to limit
the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments,
well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known
technologies are not described in detail.
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